After Watching Wake Up Dead Man's Teaser, I'm Already Sold On The Knives Out Sequel's Tonal Shift

Dear readers, Benoit Blanc is back… again. Roughly three years after Glass Onion: a Knives Out mystery, the 2025 movie schedule welcomes Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson back, as they reteam for some more sharp witted mystery solving. But their upcoming Netflix movie, Wake Up Dead Man, doesn’t look like it’s going to be a typical “Knives Out mystery.”

After seeing the first footage for Monsieur Blanc's latest case, I can confidently say it looks great. Well, that, and we now know when to expect this package of danger and snark on our doorstep.

Wake Up, Dead Man Will Be On Netflix This December

Thanks to an official announcement at tonight’s live Tudum event, we now know that Netflix subscription holders will now be able to stream Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out mystery, starting December 12th, 2025. At least, that's what the roman numerals in the teaser indicated to the audience, as no one involved in the extended surprise gag introducing the teaser said the date out loud.

Of course, fans who share Rian Johnson’s thoughts on theatrical releases may have to wait a bit to find out what a potential box office run for Wake Up Dead Man might look like. Personally, I’m a person who shares Daniel Craig’s hopes for a heartier theatrical run for this threequel. On another note, considering that the tone on display is so different, cast member Glenn Close's use of profanity upon helping to introduce the clip is absolutely justified.

Daniel Craig’s Next Case Has Left Me With Holy Dread

Look, Rian Johnson promised a tonal change for the Knives Out mysteries right from the jump. He told fans when Wake Up Dead Man's title announcement dropped, and he wasn't kidding. In this short glimpse of the third entry, things are a bit more serious; and dare I say, it works in mysterious ways?

Benoit Blanc himself describes a case like a kid at Christmas, calling it “the holy grail” for “a man of reason.” So you know it’s serious, even if Daniel Craig’s gentleman detective promises he can solve this case. While I don’t doubt that, the seriously morbid imagery has me wondering what our hero will have to give up this time out?

Or, if the A Haunting in Venice-esque vibes (which one of my colleagues picked up on) are anything, what dark secrets will be revealed in the process? Come to think of it, how is Jeremy Renner in the third Knives Out movie when he was a reference in Glass Onion?

We won’t be able to open those gifts until December 12, when Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out mystery hits Netflix! The wait is now a little harder, and this small clip also has me hoping I'll be able to watch this darker Benoit Blanc film on a big screen.